Secularists, meet the religionists

4:01 AM,
Mar. 27, 2013

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In what could go down as one of its most notable reckonings of the era, the Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in two major gay marriage cases. As the advocates and justices prepare to spar over California's Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act, important constitutional principles are heading toward a much-needed day in the sun.

As are some crucial but underappreciated subplots in this whole story about gay rights in America: the degree to which specific religious teachings -- such as Thou Shalt Not Be Gay -- should be enshrined as the law of the land, and the underlying ...